Tag Archives: Pacific Autism Family Centre

Puzzled Jewelry returns to London Drugs stores across British Columbia and Alberta for the second year in a row. Puzzled Jewelry is a brand with a cause, offering unique and trendy jewelry designs. With a new design every campaign, Puzzled Jewelry creates a unique puzzle piece of jewelry to build awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that impacts typical brain growth. As a spectrum disorder, ASD has a wide variation in how it affects each person. Common characteristics include difficulties with communication and social interactions, repetitive interests and activities, and stereotypic motor behaviours.

Puzzled Jewelry was created by three mothers, Patricia James, Debbie Su and Keri Kennett, who were joined together by an Autism diagnosis affecting each of their little boys. In 2016 their campaign raised over $34,000 through the sale of Puzzled Jewelry necklaces at select London Drugs locations in British Columbia and Alberta. This year, they have created 925 sterling silver puzzle earrings to support their continued fundraising efforts.
At a cost of $20.00 plus tax, partial proceeds from the earrings will go towards the Pacific Autism Family Centre (PAFC). The core purpose of the PAFC is to become a knowledge centre while addressing and providing the support and services required by individuals with ASD and their families. The Centre is the hub for research, and collaboration, providing individuals and their families with resources for their lifespan and is the first of its kind in North America. The Centre of knowledge and innovation will involve the development of physical “hub and spoke/satellite” centres located in communities across the province, in collaboration with local community partners.

Puzzled Jewelry earrings will be available from now until March 31st at most London Drugs British Columbia locations and all stores in Alberta. Show your support in a photo wearing your earrings and share it on social media with #PacificAutism.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurobiological condition that can affect the normal function of the gastrointestinal, immune, hepatic, endocrine and nervous systems. It impacts normal brain development leaving most individuals with communication problems, difficulty with typical social interactions and a tendency to repeat specific patterns of behaviour. There is also a markedly restricted repertoire of activity and interests.

The term “spectrum” refers to a continuum of severity or developmental impairment. Children and adults with ASDs usually have particular characteristics in common, but the conditions cover a wide spectrum, with individual differences in:

Number and particular kinds of symptoms
Severity: mild to severe
Age of onset
Levels of functioning
Challenges with social interactions

According to the latest estimates (March 2014) from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1 in 68 8-year old children in the United States has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This represents a 30% increase in the prevalence rate previously reported by the CDC.

Individuals on the autism spectrum tend to have varying degrees and combinations of symptoms and therefore treatment must be specific to the individual. It is also important to keep in mind that individuals with autism vary widely in their needs, skills and abilities.

There is no standard “type” or “typical” person with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Knowing the early signs that lead to early diagnosis can lead to optimal outcomes.

Autism is treatable.

London Drugs, Puzzled Jewelry and the Pacific Autism Family Centre have teamed up to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder. Between January 8th and February 19th, 2016, a 925 sterling silver puzzle piece necklace will be available to purchase at all BC and Alberta London Drugs locations to support the new Autism Centre of Excellence.

At a cost of $25.00 plus tax, the proceeds of the necklace will go towards the new Autism Centre. Slated to open in the Summer of 2016, the Pacific Autism Family Centre (PAFC) core purpose is to become a knowledge centre while addressing the support and services required. The centre will be the hub for research, and collaboration, providing individuals and their families with resources for their lifespan.

Puzzled Jewelry is a brand with a cause, created by Patricia James, Keri Kennett, and Debbie Sui, three mothers joined together by an autism diagnosis that affects each of their little boys. Each year, Puzzled Jewelry will design a unique puzzle piece item to build awareness if Autism. Proceeds will go to PAFC.